By Jay Skurski<br><a href="mailto:skurskij@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Jay</a>
Bob Ashley remembers the nerves he had nearly 20 years ago, when he was set to take his Player’s Ability Test, one of the biggest hurdles on the road to becoming a PGA professional.
“I played very bad the first round, and then in the second round I didn’t even think, I just played,” said Ashley, who’s served as the PGA pro at North Tonawanda’s Tan Tara Golf Club the past two years.
The PAT, as it’s commonly known, requires players to shoot a score that’s double the course rating, plus 15 strokes. About 10 players will tee up at Tan Tara on Friday, looking to take the next step in their journey.
“It gives folks a chance to prove they can play at that level,” said Joe Bertino, tournament director for the Western New York chapter of the PGA.
Those who take the test Friday will play 36 holes. The target score at Tan Tara is 154 (the slope of the men’s tees is 69.7).
“It’s a great golf course,” said Bertino, explaining why Tan Tara was chosen as the site. “It’s a fair test of golf and is in great shape, especially this time of year.”
Bertino said only 20 percent of players who take the PAT pass the test.
“It’s a pretty stiff test of golf,” he said. “You don’t have to be Tiger Woods, but you have to hit the ball well. This is the biggest hurdle for the majority of people (who want to become pros).”
The PGA Western New York, which spans Erie, Pa., to eastern Rochester, holds six PAT events a season. Tan Tara’s event will be the first of the year.
Those who pass the PAT test then move on to serve an apprenticeship. Those interested in more information can go to the PGA of America’s Web site, www.pgalinks.com.
Contact editor Jay Skurski at 693-1000, ext. 117.
